Leominster remembers: First World War exhibition opens at library

Volunteers from Leominster Museum have been gathering research and stories from members of the public for the exhibition – Rifles and Spades – which tells the story of local people who went to war and those left behind.

It features stories from people like Aubrey Ross who was in constant danger from snipers whilst working in the trenches as a stretcher bearer and the young dressmaker from Bristol who worked 11 hour days on a farm at Docklow.

Visitors will also be able to view rarely seen items from collections at both Herefordshire Museum and Leominster Museum.

The exhibition is now open and runs until Saturday November 29 during normal library opening times. It will then tour locations across North Herefordshire.

For more information call Leominster Library on 01432 383290.

Also on offer in North Herefordshire is two weekends of First World War remembrance at Croft Castle and Parkland.

On Saturday and Sunday (11 and 12 October), visitors will be able to find out what happened to the Croft family home during the war as well as what life was like for the local community back home.

There will be live ancestry searches in the house with National Trust volunteers so visitors can trace their own family tree as well as wartime songs around the piano.

Next weekend, (Saturday 18 and Sunday October 19), visitors will be able to see a two- man billet in the stables.

Re-enactors will be displaying their uniforms and weapons and detailing some of the stories and life and times of the soldiers during 1914.

For more information about Croft Castle and Parkland visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/croftcastle or phone 01568 780246.